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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating the United States into its war with Iran, calling the Israeli leader a “serpent” as tensions remain high despite an April ceasefire.
In a post on X on Monday, Araghchi claimed Netanyahu had openly acknowledged influencing Washington’s approach towards Tehran and contrasted the Israeli leader’s remarks in Hebrew with his public comments in English.
“In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the U.S. Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi wrote. He also accused Netanyahu of boasting about influencing the United States through extensive appearances on American television networks.
Araghchi said Netanyahu had taken a different tone when addressing an English-speaking audience, where he praised US President Donald Trump’s leadership.
The exchange comes months after war broke out between Iran and the United States on February 28, when US-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior military officials.
Iran responded with attacks across the region as the conflict widened, raising concerns about the security of neighbouring countries and key shipping routes.
An April ceasefire ended the most intense phase of the fighting, but sporadic attacks, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have continued to complicate efforts toward a lasting agreement.
Washington has since shifted towards what it describes as a campaign of “economic asphyxiation” against Tehran. Tensions increased again late Sunday when the United States struck the Iranian island of Larak, marking its first attack of that kind in a month.
Iran said it retaliated by attacking bases in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates used by the US military.
The latest comments from Araghchi also follow Netanyahu’s rejection last week of prospects for an agreement between Washington and Tehran.
The Israeli prime minister dismissed the possibility of an Iran-US deal and described Iran’s leaders as “savages”, signalling the deep divisions that continue to stand in the way of a broader settlement.
